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WMFR vacation rental inspections begin
Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured, West Manatee Fire Rescue

WMFR vacation rental inspections begin

Sep 18, 2023 – Joe Hendricks
August 28, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach declares state of emergency

Bradenton Beach declares state of emergency

BRADENTON BEACH – In advance of Tropical Storm Idalia, which is forecast to potentially make landfall as a major hurricane on Florida’s west coast, city commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 28 to…
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August 23, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners shrink wetland buffers

Commissioners shrink wetland buffers

BRADENTON – After a lengthy and contentious land use meeting in which environmentalists, scientists and citizens spoke against a comprehensive plan amendment that would diminish county wetland regula…
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August 15, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
AME students back in school

AME students back in school

HOLMES BEACH – For some children, it was their first day of kindergarten, and emotions ranged from excitement to just plain nervousness. For fifth graders, it was the first day of their last year at…
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August 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Marty Tupin: A colorful character remembered

Marty Tupin: A colorful character remembered

BRADENTON BEACH – Longtime Cortez and Bradenton Beach resident Marty Tupin passed away on Aug. 1, just a few weeks before his 63rd birthday. Over the years, Marty was a commercial fisherman, a fib…
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August 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Owner of illegal vacation rental bedrooms cited

Owner of illegal vacation rental bedroom cited

ANNA MARIA – City officials are concerned about ground-level storage spaces in vacation rental homes being illegally converted and used as additional bedrooms. Mayor Dan Murphy addressed these conce…
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July 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Displaced renters reflect on their Island years

Displaced renters reflect on their Island years

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island’s evolution into a vacation rental destination and the resulting lack of affordable housing has displaced many former permanent residents who rented their homes. Alex B…
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July 25, 2023
By SUN contributor

Fire department changing rules for vacation rentals

MANATEE COUNTY – Property owners located in West Manatee Fire Rescue’s district recently received some mail they likely weren’t expecting from the fire department. District leaders sent out a letter…
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July 17, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
County water taxis arrive

County water taxis arrive

ANNA MARIA – Manatee County’s two newly-built water taxis have arrived and negotiations continue between the county and the city of Anna Maria regarding the City Pier being used as a water taxi stop…
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July 11, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Pat Copeland’s life and legacy celebrated

Pat Copeland’s life, legacy celebrated

ANNA MARIA – Pat Copeland’s celebration of life included family, friends, co-workers, tears, laughter, music, poetry and a New Orleans-style second-line march down Pine Avenue. Pat passed away on…
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July 3, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Loggerhead sea turtle ‘Suzi’ released into race

Loggerhead sea turtle ‘Suzi’ released into race

BRADENTON BEACH – As hundreds of delighted onlookers gathered to see a publicized turtle release at Coquina Beach, loggerhead sea turtle “Suzi” made a grand entrance from the sand to the water. Sh…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting